Fantasy Football 101: NFL Week 13 Pickups and Other Quick Hits

Week 12 is in the books and the regular season nears its final weeks. With some NFL teams' season virtually over, be sure to keep an eye out for young players that teams will take a look at down the stretch.

With injuries mounting depth becomes a key focus now that bye week fill-ins are no longer needed (although these players can be the same). Ultimately your playoff prognosis will influence your roster moves. If you are eliminated at this point, please provide your league the courtesy of fielding a team even if that means just take a cursory glance at it this week.

One piece of pick-up related advice this week—don't over-think your roster. With the exception of players whose role has changed, you have seen these players play for 12 weeks.  You know what these players are capable of. You know whom you can count on and who is a boom or bust play. Happy hunting.

Here is a look at this week's waiver wire options

Please note, list excludes recommendations from the past two weeks.

Click here to view last week's article.

Note: To qualify as a pick-up, a player must be owned in less than 40 percent of Yahoo leagues as of this writing (11/28). 

Quarterback:

Chad Henne, Miami (owned: 25%) - Coming off a benching and injury, Henne bounced back with 307 yard, two touchdown effort. While, Henne is not someone you want to count on as a playoff starter (aside from two QB leagues), he will be spending the next couple of weeks trying to convince the Dolphins he is their starter of the future and could provide a spot start if needed.

Running Back:

Mike Goodson, Carolina  (owned 43%) - Ok, I am violating the 40 percent rule here but there are very few running backs in the sub-40 percent category to recommend, so let's take a moment to recognize the big play potential of the Panthers lone bright spot of late.  Even with Jonathan Stewart's return, Goodson put up 136 yards from scrimmage while flashing his big play potential. An upside play, especially in PPR leagues.

Toby Gerhart, Minnesota (owned 9%) - With Adrian Peterson's injury status up in the air, Gerhart is a must grab for all Peterson owners (or to possibly block the Peterson owner). Prior to the injury, Gerhart did little to merit fantasy consideration, but added 76 yards and a TD in about 2/3 of a game in place of Peterson. 

Brian Westbrook, San Francisco (owned 32%) - With Frank Gore out for the season, anyone needing a running back for the stretch run needs to pickup Westbrook. His durability is questionable but like LT earlier in the season, Westbrook could put together a good four or five week run to provide emergency help to a running back needy team.  Also, pickup Westbrook to block the Gore owner from getting him. Call it addition by subtraction.  Keep an eye on Anthony Dixon too.

Wide Receiver:

Mohammed Massaquoi, Cleveland (owned 13%) - The Cleveland offense does not inspire a lot of confidence, but after a slow start, Massaquoi has began to emerge the past month.  Has 50 yards or a touchdown in four straight games.

Jacoby Ford, Oakland (owned 12%) -There may not be a lot of track record here but the rookie has put up 100+ yards two of the last three weeks and has a knack for making the big play and acrobatic catch. A bit boom or bust but the boom could be worth it.

Ben Obomanu, Seattle (owned 3%) - With Mike Williams in the lineup in weeks 10 and 11 Obomanu put up 60+ yards each week, without Williams he exploded for 159 in week 12. If Williams injury lingers his nice run could continue. 

Tight End:

Kevin Boss, New York Giants (owned 23%) - With the Giants receiving corp ravaged with injury, Boss put up 3 catches for 74 yards and more importantly had 8 targets.  Eli Manning has to throw to someone and Boss is one of the few experienced options left.

Defense:

St. Louis and Seattle (owned 11% and 33% respectively) - While neither defense is outstanding, both face favorable schedules down the stretch.  After all, any defense playing an NFC West team is worth playing and both of these two have multiple NFC West matchups down the stretch.

Other thoughts:

- Rumors of a Shaun Hill injury has to be a concern for Calvin Johnson owners entering the playoffs.

- Don't panic on the Dez Bryant shutout.  Not saying he is a confident play, but in a WR3 situation or a team needing to take a chance on a boom-bust guy could benefit. The problem with most rookies, esp. WRs is inconsistency.

- Speaking of the Cowboys, QB Jon Kitna has put up 300 yards in three of six starts while averaging 1.7 TDs per game.

- Darren McFadden had a nice run to start the season but has struggled mightily the past two weeks. 16 yards on 18 carries. Play him at your own risk.

- Browns WR Brian Robiskie has been invisible for nearly two years but made himself a player to watch with seven catches this past week.

- After back to back 100+ yard games in Weeks Eight and Nine, Vikings WR Percy Harvin has just 108 yards the past three weeks.

- Andre Johnson owners breathe a collective sigh of relief that he was not suspended for this week.  As a owner playing against Andre this week, I think the fact he was not suspended completely unacceptable.

- Titans TE Jared Cook was targeted nine times in his first extended action of the season this week making him one to watch down the stretch.  That said, playing any Titan with Rusty Smith at quarterback is not a pleasant thought.

- How did Dwayne Bowe make 13 catches for 170 yards and three TDs when his teammates accounted for just nine catches and 63 yards?

- Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno has been quietly effect the past three weeks with over 100 combined rushing and receiving yards and a touchdown each week.  Play him with confidence down the stretch esp. in PPR leagues.

- TE Brent Celek's owners have to be encouraged by his eight targets against Chicago this week.

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for nfldraft101.com.  He can be reached at [e-mail].  Follow me on twitter: nfldraft101.

Check out NFLDraft101's 2011 early season Mock Draft.  New mock coming this week.